This is a list of chief civic officers of Swansea in south Wales, who were entitled portreeve until 1835 (except for a short period with mayors 1655-59), mayor 1835-1982, and lord mayor since 1982.
Swansea was the chief town of the medieval marcher Lordship of Gower and was granted borough status in the twelfth century. The origins of the office of portreeve are unclear but the role is mentioned in a charter of 1306. The Municipal Corporations Act 1835 reformed local government and established the office of mayor.
Swansea became a county borough in 1888, was granted city status in 1969, became a City and District within the new county of West Glamorgan in 1974, and a unitary City and County in 1996. Over this time its boundaries have expanded to include most of the ancient lordship of Gower.
Portreeves were elected at Michaelmas (29 September) each year.
In 1655 Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell, who was also Lord of Gower, issued a charter with a new constitution for Swansea with a mayor as chief officer. This lapsed the year after his death.
Local government in England and Wales was reformed under the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 and the new reformed borough was headed by a mayor instead of a portreeve. Mayors were originally elected on 9th November each year, but the Representation of the People Act 1948 moved the beginning of the municipal year to May with effect from 1949.
The office of mayor was upgraded to Lord Mayor by Letters Patent on 22 March 1982.